United Fresh has over 27 years' experience supporting and promoting the fresh produce industry, working with the entire value chain, from seed producer and grower to consumer, providing leadership on pan‑produce issues

BIOSECURITY

United Fresh works in partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries and Horticulture New Zealand to help protect New Zealand’s pan-produce industry from pests and diseases.

News from Horticulture New Zealand: Country of Origin Labelling a step closer to law

Horticulture New Zealand is thrilled that mandatory Country of Origin labelling for fruit and vegetables got a step closer today, with the second reading of the Consumers’ Right to Know (Country of Origin of Food) Bill passing in Parliament.

New research into the impact of Fruit & Vegetables in Schools (FIS) has found it is the widest-reaching health initiative for low decile schools in New Zealand, vastly improving health and education outcomes for students.

Myrtle rust has been detected in Manawatu for the first time, the Ministry for Primary Industries confirmed today. The fungus was found on a young ramarama (Lophomyrtus) in a planted area off Victoria Esplanade in Palmerston North.

The NSW Food Authority is advising consumers who are most vulnerable to Listeria infection such as older persons, and people who have weakened immune systems due to illness or pregnancy, to avoid eating rockmelon after a recent spike in listeriosis cases in elderly people has been linked to the fruit.

Consumers, retailers, wholesalers, packhouses and growers alike are all familiar with fruit label- the tiny stickers commonly found on oranges, apples, kiwifruit, avocadoes and a myriad of other produce.

5+ A Day Concerned for Public Wellbeing After Confusing Media Reporting

Recent media reports suggesting consumers require less than five portions of fruit and vegetables each day are misleading, creating confusion with consumers and are not in the interest of public wellbeing says the organisation 5+ A Day.

They feature our 5+ A Day Ambassadors and everyday Kiwis embracing inclusivity and the fact that eating more fresh fruit and vegetables is a simple action everyone can take to improve their own health.

On Thursday the 9th of March at 11am, LeaderBrand Produce Ltd. was advised that one of its salad product lines tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes bacteria or ‘Listeria’ as it is more commonly known.

During the last 12 months United Fresh has worked with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) on developing a document template suitable for all wholesale markets, retail produce distribution centres and produce merchants receiving fruit and vegetables into their premises for redistribution to retail outlets, branches, members or directly to the consumer.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says this year’s expansion of the Fruit in Schools programme is seeing a record volume of fresh produce delivered to 547 schools across the country, benefitting more than 100,000 students.

Results from testing have now confirmed that the fifth person, who recently contracted Hepatitis A, as reported last week, has the same strain of the virus as the other four people who fell sick with Hepatitis in late October and early November this year.

This Global F&V Newsletter features Brazil’s new dietary guideline role on promoting fruits and vegetables highlighting some key principles and perspectives adopted by the guideline to promote fruits and vegetables among other real foods.

SAVE THE DATE - TUESDAY 17th NOVEMBER 2015. United Fresh New Zealand Incorporated in partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries invite members to attend a workshop on Biosecurity, Food Safety & Traceability and Food Law.

The United Fresh Food Safety Committee is undertaking a review of the issues surrounding the Yersenia Pseudotuberculosis Outbreak last year. The objective is to understand, from a domestic fresh produce industry perspective, the areas where we need to undertake planning in order to be better prepared for any future outbreaks.

One of New Zealand’s largest scientific research organisations, Plant & Food Research, has joined United Fresh. UF General Manager, Paula Dudley, says the organisation is looking forward to continuing its work with the highly regarded scientific institute.

The 5+ A Day Charitable Trust were proud sponsors of the National Secondary Schools Culinary Challenge (NSSCC) this year and congratulate Burnside High School for taking out the grand prize and scholarship.

As the adoption of price look-up codes (PLU) has gained traction, the International Federation for Produce Standards (IFPS) has committed to transitioning the previously unused ‘8’ prefix to accommodate an increase in varieties of fresh produce items as they enter the market.

United Fresh is the only pan-produce industry organisation working in New Zealand for New Zealand members. Membership is open to all involved in the fresh produce industry. There are no levies; contributions are on a voluntary basis, which means you are able to tailor your membership to suit your organisation.

United Fresh develops a wide range of valuable and relevant resources for members. These resources include Nutrition Information Panels for all fresh fruit and vegetables and a guide to making the associated health and nutrient claims. 5+ A Day promotional collateral is available for all members, along with a library of photography which members are able to access.